Mavericks’ Jason Kidd Compares Tyrese Maxey to OKC Thunder Star

This season, two major events forced the Philadelphia 76ers to issue Tyrese Maxey a more prominent role.

Heading into the 2023-2024 NBA season, the Sixers dealt with a disgruntled All-Star player, as James Harden wanted out after picking up his player option.

As the Sixers went through training camp and the preseason without having Harden on the floor in front of the public, it was clear he likely played his final minutes in a Sixers uniform during the 2023 playoff run.

Harden was out of the mix for the first few games of the Sixers’ season. As a result, Maxey found himself as the acting starting point guard, averaging nearly 40 minutes per night. Eventually, Harden was traded, and the Sixers remain sold on Maxey’s ability to fill the ten-time All-Star’s shoes, running Philadelphia’s backcourt.

In his first 42 games of the 2023-2024 season, Maxey averaged 26 points and seven assists while knocking down 37 percent of his threes. For the first time in his career, the fourth-year guard was named an All-Star reserve to represent the Eastern Conference in the big game, something that Hall of Fame guard-turned-coach Jason Kidd believes is the right choice by voters.

“Well deserved,” Kidd said in Philly on Monday as the Mavericks paid a visit to the Sixers. “He should be an All-Star. He’s one of the best guards in the league.”

Maxey’s improvement came a long way from his early days in the league. Although he was viewed as a potential lottery pick after his freshman season at Kentucky, he slid down to the 76ers at pick No. 21. As much as Philly believed in him, Maxey didn’t have a steady role during his rookie effort. That all changed his sophomore season.

Since year two in the league, Maxey has improved his production. It’s never rare when a player progresses year after year. In fact, it’s expected. However, the leaps and bounds that Maxey has taken since his debut run in 2020-2021 were big enough for Kidd to compare him to an established young star out in Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

“When you look at what Maxey is doing, you can only think about Shai at Oklahoma City,” Kidd explained. “Just the improvement of each year, adding something and getting better. Now Shai, he’s talked about being an MVP. When you look at those two, I think they’re very similar with their ability to score and dominate the game. I think just looking at each year getting better and they’re comfortable being in the spotlight is also a big thing.”

At 25 years old, Gilgeous-Alexander has earned All-Star honors twice. Last year, he was named All-NBA First Team for the first time in his career. While he was off to a quicker start than Maxey, starting in 73 of his first 82 NBA games, Gilgeous-Alexander consistently progressed from averaging 11 points to scoring 30 on a nightly basis.

“It’s exciting to see as the opponent,” Kidd finished. “It causes you headaches because they are so talented.”

Maxey, at 23 years old, is on a very similar path as the star guard out in OKC. This year, Maxey is earning the league-wide recognition that has helped him stay in the same conversation as respective stars around the NBA.